Great Utopian and Dystopian Works of Literature

By: Pamela Bedore, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Pamela Bedore

Can literature change our real world society? At its foundation, utopian and dystopian fiction asks a few seemingly simple questions aimed at doing just that. Who are we as a society? Who do we want to be? Who are we afraid we might become? When these questions are framed in the speculative versions of Heaven and Hell on earth, you won't find easy answers, but you will find tremendously insightful and often entertaining perspectives.

Utopian and dystopian writing sits at the crossroads of literature and other important academic disciplines such as philosophy, history, psychology, politics, and sociology. It serves as a useful tool to discuss our present condition and future prospects - to imagine a better tomorrow and warn of dangerous possibilities. To examine the future of mankind through detailed and fascinating stories that highlight and exploit our anxieties in adventurous, thought-provoking, and engaging ways. From Thomas More's foundational text Utopia published in 1516 to the 21st-century phenomenon of The Hunger Games, dive into stories that seek to find the best - and the worst - in humanity, with the hope of better understanding ourselves and the world. Great Utopian and Dystopian Works of Literature delivers 24 illuminating lectures, led by Pamela Bedore, Associate Professor of English at the University of Connecticut, which plunge you into the history and development of utopian ideas and their dystopian counterparts. You'll encounter some of the most powerful and influential texts in this genre as you travel centuries into the past and thousands of years into the future, through worlds that are beautiful, laughable, terrifying, and always thought-provoking.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

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Killer content, awesome professor, cool topics

If you have a modicum of interest in sci-fi or fantasy, get this. The professor's cadence occasionally wears out its welcome, but that is likely only because I binge listened to this in a few days. I now have so many great ideas for books to read thanks to Professor Bedore. I also understand some of my favorite books, like 1984 or a Scanner Darkly, in a new light.

Simply Awesome

Why did it take me this long to discover this fantastic listen? I am strongly compelled to purchase as many of the novels Professor Bedore described in her lectures,as I can. This was an outstanding lecture series. Wish I would have had her in English literature class!

Wonderful Lecture

The lecturer was earnest and passionate about the subject, which really came through and made for a very enjoyable listen.

facinating

What did you love best about Great Utopian and Dystopian Works of Literature?

Professor Bedore is really fun to listen to. I sped through it the first time, but now I want to get all the short stories and books and read them along with her ... I probably won't get them all, but I will get all the short stories.

Enlightening and Entertaining

Professor Bedore provides some great insights into the development of the Utopian and Dystopian genre. Her presentation style is wonderful.

I learned of novels and novellas previously unknown to me. On the downside, much of the late 20th Century and 21st Century selections presented were extensively progressive works. Perhaps that is the current state of creative writing. I wonder if that is the case.

Aside from that last criticism, I enjoyed these lectures and I am encouraged to try more from The Great Courses series on Audible.